In our digital time, it is important for both children and adults to explore the capabilities of a computer. The rules of the virtual world largely repeat the laws of reality. To learn something or create something, you don't have to be afraid to experiment.
Children are naturally curious, and experimentation is their main way of exploring the world. Studying the digital world is no less useful than understanding physical reality: “computer” research will make it possible to take the first steps towards a future profession and develop creative and critical thinking.
What did Sugata Mitra do?
Sugata Mitra, a well-known Indian scientist and professor of educational technology, conducted the following experiment, which he called “A hole in the wall”. In one of the poorest neighborhoods in New Delhi, an experimenter built a computer into a wall, connected it to high-speed internet and... just walked away.
You could find a couple of programs in the computer and no instructions for using it. In addition, everything was in English, which was unknown to poor slum dwellers.
What happened after that?
Local kids, who didn't even go to school, quickly became interested in the “new product” and began to explore an outlandish subject. After a while, children “surfed” the Internet, freely clicking on links.
The experiment took place all over the world and was the first step towards creating a new teaching method, which Sugata Mitra referred to as MIE (Minimally Invasive Education or “Minimally Invasive Education”).
What does MIE mean?
The scientist's method implies that the child's main motivation to learn is his curiosity and the desire to understand how the world and things in it work. Thus, in the lesson, the teacher is more likely to act as an observer and guide than to take a leading position. It allows students to be proactive and follows their curiosity. According to Professor Mitr, each class is a small but exciting journey together.
The training method proposed by the scientist allows you to study online without any spatial and time limits.
What is School in the Cloud?
The discoveries that Professor Mitra made throughout his life prompted him to create a new generation school. Here, children learn how to freely use the Internet to satisfy curiosity, create their own projects and develop their own multifaceted creativity.
What does Mitra consider to be the most important thing in the learning process?
According to the scientist, the key to the productive assimilation of new knowledge is the ability to ask questions. Moreover, both on the part of teachers and on the part of students.
Every new discovery starts with a question. Children are interested in learning what a particular thing is, how it works, why it is the way it is and not otherwise, and where it even came from.
When a question is born, there is a motivation to find an answer to it. It is very important for children to do this themselves. Then the answer will stay in their memory for a long time. Moreover, this way children get used to independence, do not give up on difficulties and increase self-confidence.
Don't be afraid to experiment
As the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, thinkers see their actions as experiments, and questions as attempts to find out something. Success and failure are first and foremost answers for him.
Don't be afraid to experiment: any experience can lead to amazing discoveries!
If you want your child to discover the field of IT technologies and learn programming skills, sign up for a free one trial lesson to Progkids online school. Experienced teachers encourage any ideas that come to young students! The lessons are held in an individual format, so nothing will prevent your child from satisfying their craving for creativity and experimentation, as well as mastering coding skills and creating creative projects, such as mini-games, animation or digital art.
